resolution motion, 8 September 2025
On the case of Abdoul Aziz Goma, arbitrarily detained in Togo
Motion B-10-2025-0379 · (2025/2862(RSP))
on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Hannes Heide
AI:In short
The resolution condemns the treatment of Abdoul Aziz Goma, an Irish citizen detained in Togo since 2018, and calls for his immediate release. It urges Togolese authorities to respect his rights, improve prison conditions, and uphold fair trial standards, and calls on the EU to intensify dialogue.
Key points
- Deplores the treatment of Abdoul Aziz Goma and expresses solidarity with him.
- Calls for his immediate and unconditional release.
- Expresses strong concern for his health and urges immediate humanitarian measures.
- Insists that his rights to adequate food, healthcare, and legal access be respected.
- Calls on Togolese authorities to uphold obligations for humane prison conditions and eradicate torture, working with the UN.
- Urges the judiciary to uphold fair trial standards and end long pre-trial detention.
- Insists on protecting freedom of assembly and expression, urging more space for civil society.
- Calls on the Commission and EEAS in Lomé to intensify dialogue for release and reforms.
Who is affected
- Abdoul Aziz Goma, an Irish citizen detained in Togo.
- Togolese authorities and judiciary, who must act on release, prison conditions, and fair trials.
- Civil society in Togo, including protestors and human rights defenders, who need space to operate.
- The Commission and EEAS in Lomé, called to intensify dialogue.
Figures and deadlines
Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
Full text
Text 23 paragraphs
B100379/2025
Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the case of Abdoul Aziz Goma, arbitrarily detained in Togo
(2025/2862(RSP))
The European Parliament,
having regard to Opinion 39/2023 adopted by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on 1 September 2023,
having regard to the seventh periodic report of Togo adopted by the UN Committee Against Torture, concluded in July 2019,
having regard to the Samoa Agreement,
having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
whereas Abdoul Aziz Goma, an Irish citizen, was arrested and detained in Togo in December 2018 on charges of assisting local protestors in relation to pre-election protests;
whereas Aziz Goma was held in pre-trial detention for over six years; whereas a one-day trial took place on 3 February 2025 and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment;
whereas human rights organisations have reported that Aziz Goma has been subject to torture, and denied adequate food, healthcare and access to a lawyer;
whereas in 2023 the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that the rights of Aziz Goma to freedom of assembly, association, and fair trial were violated;
Read the rest (11 paragraphs)
whereas the health of Aziz Goma has significantly deteriorated while imprisoned; whereas in August 2025 he began a hunger strike and was subsequently admitted to hospital with rapidly worsening health concerns;
whereas the civil prison in Lomé is extremely overcrowded; whereas this has led to conditions which fail to meet international standards, including lack of adequate space, food or medical treatment; whereas in 2019 the UN Committee against Torture advised the Togolese authorities to close the prison;
Deplores the treatment of Abdoul Aziz Goma and expresses its solidarity with him;
Calls for his immediate and unconditional release;
Expresses strong concern for Aziz Goma’s physical and mental health; urges the Togolese authorities to take immediate measures on humanitarian grounds to ensure his wellbeing;
Insists that Aziz Goma’s right to adequate food, healthcare, and access to a lawyer are fully respected;
Calls on the Togolese authorities to uphold national and international obligations to ensure humane prison conditions and the eradication of torture; urges the authorities to work closely with the UN and other international bodies to advance this work;
Calls on the Togolese judiciary to uphold international standards for fair trials, and to end the practice of long pre-trial detention;
Insists that the right to freedom of assembly and expression must be protected; urges the authorities to take further steps to ensure adequate space for civil society, including peaceful protestors and human rights defenders, to operate;
Calls on the Commission and EEAS in Lomé to intensify dialogue with the Togolese authorities for the release of Aziz Goma and the advancement of civil and judicial reform;
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the HRVP, and the Government and Parliament of Togo.